What is a Hate Crime?
A hate crime is a traditional offense that is motivated by bias. A person commits a hate crime when one of a specified set of crimes is committed targeting a victim because of a perception or belief about their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation, or when such an act is committed as a result of that type of perception or belief. These crimes can target an individual, a group of individuals or public or private property.
Click here to see which crimes fall under the Hate Crimes statute.
Hate crimes can be perpetrated against an individual, a group, or against public or private property. For example, hanging a noose or painting a swastika could be deemed hate crimes.
What is the Human Rights Law?
The New York State Human Rights Law, the first of its kind in the nation, prohibits discrimination in employment, apprenticeship and training, purchase and rental of housing and commercial space, places of public accommodation, certain educational institutions, and credit transactions based upon protected characteristics such as race, color, creed, sex, age, disability, national origin, marital status, familial status, conviction or arrest record, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status or gender dysphoria.
Resources
The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) also provides assistance to victims of hate crimes. OVS funds 212 programs statewide that provide direct services, such as crisis intervention and counseling, to victims of crime, including those physically injured as a result of a hate crime. Those programs also help any victim of crime apply for compensation and other assistance from the agency, which is a safety net for individuals who have no other resources. Individuals seeking help from OVS also can search for a service provider online: ovs.ny.concerncenter.com. For more information, please visit: www.ovs.ny.gov.
Annual Reporting
Per New York State Executive Law § 837(4)(c), the Division of Criminal Justice Services is required to collect and analyze statistical and all other information and data with respect to hate crimes reported by law enforcement through the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. DCJS produces an annual report which details hate crime incidents that law enforcement agencies have reported to DCJS, including data on the number of incidents and type of bias reported. DCJS also submits the data to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its collection and publication.
Hate crime incidents by reporting agency can be found at the Division of Criminal Justice Services website.
Latest News
November 7, 2024: Governor Hochul Launches “Call Out Hate” Campaign
May 21, 2024: Governor Hochul Announces $10 Million Grant Funding to Support Efforts to Reduce Domestic Terrorism and Targeted Violence
October 20, 2023: Governor Hochul Announces Launch of New Hotline and Online Form to Report Hate and Bias Incidents
May 10, 2023: Governor Hochul Announces $25 Million Available to Organizations Facing Hate Crimes and Targeted Violence
December 12, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces Launch of New Hate and Bias Prevention Unit Within the State Division of Human Rights
December 12, 2022: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Protect Victims of Hate Crimes from Being Mistreated by Insurance Companies
November 22, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces Actions to Prevent Hate Crimes and Protect New Yorkers
November 20, 2022: Following Recent Threats to Jewish and LGBTQ Communities, Governor Hochul Announces New York State Police Increase Protection for Hate Crime Targets
November 7, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces $96 Million to Improve Safety at Nonprofit, Community-Based Organizations at Risk of Hate Crimes and Attacks
April 13, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $16 Million to Improve Safety and Security of Organizations at Risk of Hate Crimes
November 2, 2021: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Prohibiting Municipal Corporations from Selling or Displaying Hate Symbols
October 21, 2021: Governor Kathy Hochul Announces Opening of Application Period for Next Round of Grants to Secure Communities Against Hate Crimes
October 15, 2021: Governor Kathy Hochul Directs Hate Crimes Task Force to Offer Assistance in Yeshiva of Flatbush Arson Investigation
October 6, 2021: Governor Hochul announces nearly $25 million available to strengthen security at nonprofit organizations
September 19, 2021: Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul on Hateful Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found Along FDR Drive
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